66 Nay, Louis," said Mrs. Villaret, “do not be too severe. Remember, we were once young ourselves." "I do not forget it," rejoined. the soldier ; “but I am doubtful, whether the sober judgment of maturer years can sanction all that passes in the youthful breast, though connected with a subject, in which every child of Adam must more or less be interested; and that with the approval of Him who gave us being, and originally implanted in it the springs that move it." 66 "It may be so," replied Mrs. Villaret. Yet, in a heart like Emily's, where, if I can at all discriminate between those who serve God, and those who serve him not,' every feeling centers in the desire to promote his glory, I cannot but retain the opinion I have already expressed, that she has watched over this growing attachment with many a secret supplication.” "All true, my love," said the veteran ; "but you are still wandering from my position. I am far from denying that our dear Emily may have often laid her sorrows be fore a throne of grace, and sought the Divine blessing and direction in every step of life. Yet, is it not possible, that some subtile insinuations of our vigilant adversary may have escaped her observation? I have no doubt whatever of Emily's deep piety; but I should be rather more scrupulous in affirming, that her heart has forgotten its deceitfulness." "That poor Emily's heart is, with our own, deceitful," replied Mrs. Villaret," and that above all things, not only the voice of Inspiration, but melancholy experience, must constrain us to allow. Still, however, I must repeat my full persuasion, that a subject of such vital importance, not only to her usefulness, but to her welfare and happiness, must frequently, very frequently, have called forth her cries and tears before God." 666 Keep thy heart with all diligence,'" said the Major, "is an injunction of wide extent, and emanating from Him who knows what is in man. If, indeed, as is probable, Emily's affections were engaged before Religion had sown its regenerating principle in her breast, something more may be said in palliation of her error, and a greater degree of compassion, at least, may be extended to her, without trespassing on the sacred limits of duty or propriety. Emily was young, and had lived secluded from the world. Her own family, and the poor of her neighbourhood, had long formed almost the entire circle of her acquaintance. Her imagination, therefore, ardent as we know it to be, and doubtless, my love, not retained in due subjectionthat subjection which brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ' would look for some kindred being with whom its wanderings might cease, and might naturally rest on the young lord of Mertenburg. The human heart, as it is, seeks, and ever will seek, a repose. Like the ship wrecked mariner, grasping the first plank that floats within his reach, and still clinging to it, though another may pass him by with greater promise of safety, lest in the struggle of exchange, he should be overwhelmed in the abyss, the affections will often twine around that with which they have blended their earliest hopes and fears, beyond the power of separation in after-life, unless that separation be effected by the dissevering of ties, whose disruption is attended with the most painful sensations." "That is all I contend for in Emily's behalf," said Mrs. Villaret. "A moment, my dear; I have not concluded my remarks. Though such may be the natural effect of an early attachment, I must still be permitted to believe what I have stated, that that heart cannot have been kept with all the diligence implied in the precept, which is allowed to produce such agitation as we have witnessed. And I have no doubt but Emily will feel this herself, when calmer moments of reflection succeed. She may not have been aware of the danger to which she was exposing herself: that, however, is now but too apparent, and will not elude her own maturer observation. "And besides, my love, though my prayers shall ever attend both her and Alphonzo, experience would lead me to believe, that the Divine disposal seldom accords with |